structural development

Workshop on company handover: Future of crafts in Lusatia

At the beginning of the week, the extremely informative and entertaining workshop on business handover in the craft sector took place in the Hafenstübchen on the Telux site in Weißwasser.

Lausitz Café task force event series , was organized together with the team from the " Self-employed Lausitz " project from the Dresden Chamber of Crafts (HWK) . The workshop attracted 24 participants including potential founders, small business owners, established entrepreneurs and networkers. The experts from HWK Dresden and “ Start-up Lausitz ” provided technical input and brought important aspects from practical experience into the discussions. Our ENO innovation managers from the Structural Change Task Force, Saskia Brosius and Wilhemine Buscha , moderated the table discussions in an entertaining and informative way as usual. Of course, they also collected and noted everything that was developed during the joint brainstorming sessions in order to provide everyone who deals with the topic with further decision-making aids and planning steps.

Exchange over coffee & quark

The Lausitz Café offered an entertaining and interactive platform where participants came together over “Coffee & Quark” to get to know each other and exchange ideas. The atmosphere was characterized by openness and curiosity - together we approached the challenges of handing over a business in the craft sector in Lusatia, Saxony, in order to gather ideas for solutions. Because: the topic is of great importance nationwide. Approximately 31 percent of the craft business owners in the Görlitz and Bautzen district are 55 years of age or older. This means that these companies will face the issue of succession within the next decade.

 

Anna-Marie Hillen moderates

Opening and expert insights

Anna-Marie Hillen , project manager for “ EinfachLausitz ”, Main Department of Economic Development and Consulting at the HWK Dresden, and Reno Rössel , project manager for “ EinfachLausitz ”, emphasized the need for exchange between experts and the people who will implement the ideas in their companies. “It’s about not just talking a lot, but also putting what has been said into practice,” explained Wilhelmine Buscha from the innovation team.

Marcel Linge from the start-up ecosystem “ Start-up Lausitz ” then gave insights into the start-up activity in Lausitz and highlighted the opportunities that exist for new and existing craft businesses in the region.

Interactive World Café

The heart of the event was the World Café , moderated by Saskia Brosius and Wilhelmine Buscha and their colleagues from the HWK. In various thematic rounds, the participants discussed the following exciting topics:

How can regional networks and local politics provide more support on the topic?

Many people here would like to see improved support for start-ups from state politics in order to make it easier for new entrepreneurs to get started. There was also a desire for greater integration of young entrepreneurs into networks and targeted use of vacancies in the city in order to preserve and promote the attractiveness of the locations. The idea of ​​offering co-working spaces in which founders are also supported was very popular. The idea of ​​craft get-togethers and regional job fairs, at which young people are specifically targeted for a career in the craft sector, was also welcomed. Finally, the desire for greater consideration of regional providers in tenders was highlighted as an important measure.

Making companies future-proof and ready for transfer

What does it take? In order to make craft businesses future-proof and ready for transfer, it is essential to offer practical work experiences in order to get young people excited about the craft and bring them into the company at an early stage. Cooperations with schools and training centers were cited as an effective method of recruiting young entrepreneurs and securing young talent. Transparency in investments and takeover processes is important to build trust and strengthen the company's brand. Everyone agreed: integrating new technologies and smart solutions can make companies competitive and attractive to successors.

It also seems necessary to adapt to new working time models and the visions of your successors in order to ensure a successful handover. Financial aspects of the handover should be clearly communicated and proactively addressed to overcome potential hurdles.

Use of resources and takeover requirements

In order to make optimal use of resources and create the conditions for a successful company takeover, it is important to bring innovative visions into the company. New ideas can bring a breath of fresh air into the company and, last but not least, open up new markets. But not to be forgotten and an important aspect that must be taken into account before the handover: cushioning the fears of the old company. It is important to take the concerns of the existing owners and employees seriously and take appropriate measures to mitigate them. This creates a trusting basis for the handover process. Adaptation to the financial possibilities and wishes of the successor is also crucial. Ultimately, it is necessary to create individual solutions and seek expert advice. Tailored solutions and professional advice help to address the specific challenges and opportunities of each takeover and to make the handover process successful.

Innovation & Technology

In order to make craft businesses sustainable, the use of new technologies and digitalization is crucial - there was no doubt about that among the participants. The use of modern technologies/artificial intelligence can optimize processes and at the same time reduce the physical strain on employees. In order to facilitate the transition to new technologies and working methods, it was found that 1-to-1 coaching and professional advice are essential. Individual training and consultations help to fully exploit the potential of new technologies and to successfully integrate them into everyday operations.

    

 Inspiring atmosphere in the Telux in Weißwasser

At the end of the workshop, the moderators of the four thematic tables summarized the results and gave an outlook on the next steps. The participants agreed that the Lausitz Café and similar networking events make an important contribution to strengthening crafts in the region and promote concrete measures and networking.

After an exciting, intensive and entertaining day, everyone had the opportunity to exchange ideas individually and make new contacts over a snack, of course with typical Lausitz quark specialties. The relaxed atmosphere provided a perfect setting to continue the day's discussions and forge new collaborations.

After this special Lausitz Café (read more about the "normal" Lausitz Cafés ), Saskia Brosius and Wilhelmine Buscha came to the conclusion that the future of crafts in Lausitz will be promising if everyone involved works hand in hand and is open to Innovations and new ideas are.

Are you interested in taking over a company?

Would you like to place your company in reliable hands? Please feel free to contact the HWK Dresden!

Would you also like to take part in our events?

Then register here today for our event newsletter .

 

Photos: Dresden Chamber of Crafts / Photographer Marcel Schröder

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